To the Moon & Back

Chapter 41- Ash

Trigger warning- nothing intense, but Ash is a bit shaken up from the encounter w the gang, reasonably so...

We all holed up in the living room for the afternoon, most of us sitting on the floor (given our huge size), except Linh & me. & normally... I'd care that I was taking up all the couch space & I'd try to make room, but... I think me & my family knew that there were more important things going on here...

Linh... Still wasn't waking up.

We all tried to help best we could. Gave him pain meds. Bandaged what was necessary to. Used ice packs. But... He was still unconscious.

It wasn't till 2 hours later that he began to stir. My family looked on hopefully, some of them from the living room floor, others stationed by the locked door that kept us feeling somewhat secure.

I looked down at Linh tenderly, not caring anymore if anyone thought I loved him or not. Because I did. I knew that now. Having him away like that... Made me realize... How much he matters to me.

&... I had never felt something like this before... Sure, I had thought I liked Adair, or well- Marco, whatever his name was. But I- didn't really... He- took advantage of me... He... didn't respect me & my boundaries... Unlike Linh. Linh- cared about me, I thought. He- was always there for me... &... I don't know what I would do without him...

He stirred slowly, forehead nuzzling into my chest, & I pulled him close to me, arms wrapping protectively around him. Cradling him. He gripped my shirt suddenly & I drew him back.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he opened his eyes.

"Is it over?" He asked, voice shaking, & I pulled him to my chest, which he nuzzled, tears tracking down his cheeks.

"Yes, baby. It's over," I cooed, soothing his hair down slowly & letting him cry into my shirt. Swearing that. Whoever hurt him. Would pay.

I know this pt is so sad, sorry :(((. It had to happen...

It took another hour or so for him to fully come to his senses. My mom brought him some warm soup from lunch & some water. We made sure that he ate it, despite his hesitation, & drank plenty. He had probably lost a lot of fluids from crying.

Auntie Joy also brought over a gatorade, so he could stay up on his electrolytes, & my dad made sure he wasn't in any pain. & I... provided the emotional support.

After about another hour, he felt more at ease, though still a bit worried from the whole affair. He still laid down on the couch next to me, my arms wrapped gently around him, & a blanket still draped over us. But... he wasn't crying anymore.

"You doing ok, baby?" I asked tenderly, looking down at him from my vantage point higher up on the pillow. He blushed, which was good. He was coming back to life again.

He sighed slowly. "Yeah... It was a lot..." His voice broke slightly, & I pulled him closer. He nuzzled my chest, then took a breath, still speaking from his spot there, voice slightly muffled. "But... I'm better now." He peered up at me, blushing. "Thank you."

I smiled warmly down at him, stroking his hair gently with 1 hand, & he leaned into the touch. "Of course." I replied softly, never taking my eyes off him. "Anything for the 1 I love."

It finally happened! Ash confessed his love for Linh! What will happen next? I think I'll end the chapter here, to leave you guys in suspense (mwahaha :3). But anyways... See ya guys next time, I guess :D